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Open Poetry #13
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An Old Man's Race
| Open Poetry #13 |
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An Old Man's Race |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart 
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An Old Man’s Race Six foot tall never over one fifty in weight “wiry” some would say and that was him, a bit of Bing Crosby if wearing the right hat, sometimes a little bit of Fred Astaire, when staging some dance steps with his Ginger he was the kind who whistled while he worked when he related stories of his day or of other happenings, he had this way of gesticulating, talking with his hands, his left hand picking at invisible lint on a nearby surface, his right hand forming circles carpenter’s hands a man’s hands that could pick up babies and baby birds lay concrete and hold kites, or massage cramps from growing young legs he must have been circling fifty when some school boys, taunting him with “old man” noises, which would have haunted a lesser man, well, he, with that lopsided grin framed by two large ears and a big old Roman nose [Daddy, you’ve got a ski-nose!] jutting from beneath his German blue eyes, said, and it wasn’t hard to hear the chuckle in the comment, “well boys, care to try to beat the old man in a footrace?” “Yeah, Old Man, you’re on!” and their sarcasm capitalized their sarcasm. He even gave the two of them a ten-foot lead, so he said, as one hand rounded in the air, the other picking at invisible lint on the table, and what was not to believe? Leaning forward, he imitated his run in slow motion, how he put out his arms to pump himself along, like a swimmer using his arms to be pulled, then pushed forward, blue eyes on the goal and hitting the marker the boys had set, two strides ahead of them, he turned, waited for them to hit the point they had designated, then the three of them made the return trip, and he said, “I thought they almost had me,” but he finished the line, a couple of paces ahead, the boys red-faced and breathing hard, hearing the “old man” say “thanks, boys” and ever after that, hearing “Sir,” from them and respect capitalized the word. |
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| © Copyright 2001 Karilea Rilling Jungel - All Rights Reserved | |||
Sven
since 1999-11-23
Posts 14937East Lansing, MI USA |
it's a race that he never lost. . . wonderful my friend. . . ------------------------------------------------------ To the world, you may only be one person. But to one person, you may be the world. |
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Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Karilea--a most delightful poem...written with heart. |
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Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
I was captivated by the first stanza and reeled in. What a wonderful description of what was obviously a wonderful man.... |
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Lone Wolf Member Ascendant
since 2000-03-16
Posts 5842Lansing, MI USA |
Superb writing, Sunshine. I enjoyed this one very much.  All writing comes |
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xoxoLUVRGURLxoxo New Member
since 2000-05-01
Posts 9Corpus Christi, tx |
Very enjoyable poem, delightful as well  |
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Gemini Senior Member
since 1999-12-15
Posts 1203Wisconsin, USA |
Very moving words in a world where respect is sometimes lost. Was nice to hear these words this night. |
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Auguste
since 2000-02-16
Posts 3953By the sea |
"a man’s hands that could pick up babies and baby birds lay concrete and hold kites, or massage cramps from growing young legs" Karilea, I loved the whole poem, but especially the part above. Such good writing this is. Just wonderful. Michael Proust- |
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Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
I wish I knew this man, what a lovely poem. |
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Marge Tindal
since 1999-11-06
Posts 42384Florida's Foreverly Shores |
Karilea~ Touching tender here ! *Hugs* ~*Marge*~ ~*The pen of the poet never runs out of ink, as long as we breathe.*~ |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
I just heard from a friend who read this, how much she liked it. I see that I did not thank all that commented. It is an honor to give tribute to a man who meant much to me. I am glad that you all took a minute to get to know him. Thank you. |
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coyote Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 1077 |
What a touching tribute told through a wonderful story, Karilea. I love such tales. Thanks. "The rose, like the cactus flower, protects herself with thorns. We however, impale ourselves on their beauty." |
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suthern
since 1999-07-29
Posts 20723Louisiana |
You told a wonderful story and told it well... I was mesmerized. *S* I especially love the last verse! *S* |
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Mabel A. Dilley Senior Member
since 2001-03-17
Posts 859Seattle, WA, USA |
Good narrative. I was there and watched him run. "I am not now that which I have been." |
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Fagin Member
since 2004-05-07
Posts 126Ca |
"This has been another visual aide for Life 101" "Thanks and remember; if you still have a Mom or Dad, let 'em know it" |
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latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
I do not think I was posting much when this was written. It deserves a boost. latearrival |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Late... Thank you. Now that my brother is with my Dad, I'm sure they're both smiling, as my brother was the last response before yours. I don't know why or how you came across this today...but I thank you, sincerely.  |
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